REAL PROGRESS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 84, 20 November 1872, Page 2

REAL PROGRESS.

If scientific and practical knowledge and commercial prudence can unsure success, the manufacture begun in the Waimea-road by Messrs. Jolinston and Louisson must be successful. The hematite ore of Parapara, which thej are converting into paint, was first observed by Mr. Johnston in 1859, when accompanying Dr. Hochstetter on his geological examination of the buys. It is practically unlimited m quantity, and very pure. The operations to which it is subjected to convert it into paint are simple. Ifc is roasted in a vertical furnace, like a small foundry cupola, the larger lumps are reduced to manageable form by hand, and the roasted ore is passed through a small stamping battery, and afterwards through a berdan. 'A lurge llow of water is from time to time introduced into the berdan, and passes out into a series of troughs, carrying with it all that part of the triturated ore which ia cupuble of suspension in the moving water. The mud thus flowing out deposits its solid part in the troughs. The result is of various fineness, the finest forming the impalpable rouge powder used for cleaning plate glusa. The

machinery now in use is worked by a small portablo stuati.-ongino lent by the Provincial Government. Tho berdan is lent by Messrs. Ourtis Brothers. This is tho whole of tho fostering earo which tho enterprising manufacturers have received or duetn>, but they recognise tli • vuluo of this liberal holp. Tho duty on paints, 2s. per cwt., hitherto a revenuo duty solely, will of course act at first as h protection to the infant manufacture, but wo learn that Mr. Louisson believes that ho can even now compote with the imported art iclo on equal terms, and expects to make an export, when of course tho proteotivo effect of the duty wil| cease. Tho present apparutus is small and cheaply constructed, and in a pluoe not tho most suitable for any but a first effort at the manufacture. It is intended to invest all the first profits in extending tho plant and establishing it at tho most suitable spot. If under existing circumstances, the manufacture can be carried on profitably, there is no doubt that it is destined to be of iinportunce hereafter. The demand for good hematite paint for iron shipping is immense and growing; and wo may add, that tho success of this industry will draw attention to tho other Para para iron ores, and ensure their being worked so soon as the Collingwood uoul-mino is fully proved, and the rate of wages at homo and in the colonies equalized.